GIANTS QUIETLY REMAIN FAVORITES TO WIN THE NFC EAST IN 2012 (http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/blog/eye-on-football/19084446/giants-quietly-remain-favorites-to-win-the-nfc-east-in-2012)

"Eli Manning (/nfl/players/playerpage/493004/eli-manning) went onto
CNN the other day. Naturally, the Giants (/nfl/teams/page/NYG/new-york-giants) quarterback and two-time
Super Bowl winner was asked a question about ... Tim Tebow (/nfl/players/playerpage/1114680/tim-tebow)? Of course he
was, because that's the kind of respect he and the Giants command in the town
they play football. Which might be less respect than they command in the NFC
East, where you're unlikely to see many pundits pick them to win the division.

It's beyond foolish (not to mention disrespectful). But Eli and Co. are
OK by that.

"It's one of those deals, in New York you win a Super Bowl
but I'm the third most talked about quarterback between Mark [Sanchez] and Tim,"
Manning said. "But that's the way I like it."

This wasn't the first time
Manning's had to say that. He repeated the mantra on <a href="http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-sports/2012/04/eli_manning_im_the_third_most.html">another
national news show</a> around NFL Draft time. Knowing that people would rather
talk Tebow and Sanchez than Manning and his rings, and knowing that the Eagles (/nfl/teams/page/PHI/philadelphia-eagles), Cowboys (/nfl/teams/page/DAL/dallas-cowboys) and Redskins (/nfl/teams/page/WAS/washington-redskins) all had "big"
offseasons, should it be any surprise that people aren't picking the Giants to
win the NFC East ... again?

Of course not. But in the land of offseason
champs, the Giants are still king, because they have a proven formula for
winning, continuity across the board and an easier schedule this season.

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It's nearly
impossible to predict a hampionship-winning hot streak in the NFL, although
they're happening more and more in recent years. But there are two things you
need to generate one: an elite quarterback who thrives late in games and a pass
rush capable of taking over on the defensive end and generating turnovers. (Look
at the Steelers (/nfl/teams/page/PIT/pittsburgh-steelers) of 2008,
the Packers (/nfl/teams/page/GB/green-bay-packers) of 2010 and, of
course, the Giants of 2007 and 2011.)

The Giants return both of
those things in 2012 and, honestly, there's no reason to think the G-men won't
get better in each area next season. Eli took a monster step forward in
2011 after we all scoffed at his "elite" comments and should be poised to
continue that success in 2012. Jason Pierre-Paul (/nfl/players/playerpage/1692882/jason-pierrepaul) is
still scratching the surface on his terrifying potential. Osi Umenyiora (/nfl/players/playerpage/396106/osi-umenyiora) is playing
for a contract (finally!).

And Justin Tuck (/nfl/players/playerpage/422573/justin-tuck), as he told me
during a recent podcast, is taking steps this offseason to be completely healthy
next year. I also pointed out to Tuck that, in Vegas, the Eagles are currently
favored to win the NFC East.

"I should go bet something in Vegas," Tuck
said about the Giants odds to win the division. "If I was a betting man I'd
probably go put some money in Vegas."

One more thing on Tuck: he talked
about building a dynasty at the Giants recent ring ceremony. Whether or not you
classify dynasties by division titles (the Giants have three in the past 10
years) or Super Bowl rings (two in the last five) is beside the point. To build
a dynasty in any sport one thing is paramount: continuity.

The Giants
have that in spades, especially as they transition from last year's title team
to 2012's hopeful repeat defenders. Are there losses? Sure. Aaron Ross (/nfl/players/playerpage/437049/aaron-ross) is gone to Jacksonville (/nfl/teams/page/JAC/jacksonville-jaguars), but Terrell
Thomas is an upgrade if he's healthy. The secondary's overall statistics don't
look great from last season, but they were dominant down the stretch. If they
perform at that same level in 2012, watch out.

Mario Manningham (/nfl/players/playerpage/565222/mario-manningham) took
the money and ran, but his production was overvalued based on a big catch at the
right moment; <a HREF="/nfl/players/playerpage/1679976/rueben-randle">Rueben
Randle</a> was a steal in the second round and along with Rams (/nfl/teams/page/STL/st-louis-rams)es
Barden can fill that void. Brandon Jacobs (/nfl/players/playerpage/551405/brandon-jacobs) joined
Mario by the bay, but the addition of David Wilson (/nfl/players/playerpage/1664188/david-wilson) to the
running game is an upgrade as well. To say that the offensive line
isn't a strength is stating the obvious; the Giants have done just fine for a
while with plug-n-play linemen though.

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All of this
is happening while the rest of the division is in flux -- the Cowboys are
rebooting their defensive scheme and the Redskins are trying to slam the manhole
on the Rex Grossman (/nfl/players/playerpage/396159/rex-grossman)/John Beck (/nfl/players/playerpage/406245/john-beck) Era. The Eagles
are just trying to live up to the hype (again), only this time they're keeping
all their flashy offseason signings in-house. Good for them.

The one
concern for the Giants -- at least at the moment -- is the schedule next year.
They currently have the hardest strength of schedule in the NFL for 2012, but
the Eagles are tops in terms of quality opponents (teams with at least nine wins
in 2011) they have to play, with eight. The difference is the Eagles appear to
have a softer spot at the back end of 2012; you might <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/teams/page/NYG/new-york-giants">be able to
find a soft spot</a> for the Giants early in the year. Maybe.

Here's the
thing though. People believe the Giants limped into the playoffs because of
their 9-7 record. The reality is that Tom Coughlin's squad was 6-2 after beating
the Patriots (/nfl/teams/page/NE/new-england-patriots) in Week 9.
Then they embarked on a portion of the schedule that saw them play the Packers,
49ers (/nfl/teams/page/SF/san-francisco-49ers), Saints (/nfl/teams/page/NO/new-orleans-saints), Eagles, Cowboys (twice)
and Jets (/nfl/teams/page/NYJ/new-york-jets) down the stretch.

They weren't in the middle of any kind of "swoon," despite what fans
thought and despite what the local press pushed as a narrative. They were
grinding through an impossible late-season schedule that ultimately prepared
them for a hot run in the playoffs.

In other words, they were tested.
And they'll be tested again next year; if they don't suffer the ridiculous slew
of early season injuries they dealt with in 2011, expect them to improve on last
season's results. The running game will be better, the secondary is improved and
-- gulp -- the pass rush might be even better.

It's a formula that
worked last year and it's a formula that will work again in 2012. That everyone
else is busy lauding the rest of the division for their offseason "wins" is all
the better."

jomo

05-18-2012, 10:03 PM

Shhhh! Undercover is how we fly. [;)]

RoanokeFan

05-18-2012, 10:07 PM

We're the only ones who believe this lol

NYGRealityCheck

05-18-2012, 10:08 PM

As long as ESPN expertly predicts the Cowboys or Eagles to win the division again weeks before the season starts, the Giants should be fine.

RoanokeFan

05-18-2012, 10:12 PM

As long as ESPN expertly predicts the Cowboys or Eagles to win the division again weeks before the season starts, the Giants should be fine.

[Y]

GIANTSACK

05-18-2012, 10:50 PM

As long as ESPN expertly predicts the Cowboys or Eagles to win the division again weeks before the season starts, the Giants should be fine.

[Y]

.

FIFTY6G-MAN

05-18-2012, 11:05 PM

Flying under the radar is what we do best. Seems the radar is not even functioning at this point!! As long as Tom ,Eli and Tuck (coaches, offense and defense) are on the same page we should fare quite well this season as well. And until they come up with a new motto for this season....I am "ALL IN"!!!

BlueBlitzer

05-18-2012, 11:07 PM

Three things you can count on.

Romo will Choke

Vick will get hurt

RG3 will meet the Nascar 4

miked1958

05-18-2012, 11:35 PM

As long as ESPN expertly predicts the Cowboys or Eagles to win the division again weeks before the season starts, the Giants should be fine.O mean they might even pick us to come in behind the Skins. Afterall they they have a better QB the Eli now (red) and they did beat us twice last yr before they got this superstar QB so naturally they should finish ahead of us

dsd28

05-18-2012, 11:51 PM

Here's the
thing though. People believe the Giants limped into the playoffs because of
their 9-7 record. The reality is that Tom Coughlin's squad was 6-2 after beating
the Patriots (/nfl/teams/page/NE/new-england-patriots) in Week 9.
Then they embarked on a portion of the schedule that saw them play the Packers,
49ers (/nfl/teams/page/SF/san-francisco-49ers), Saints (/nfl/teams/page/NO/new-orleans-saints), Eagles, Cowboys (twice)
and Jets (/nfl/teams/page/NYJ/new-york-jets) down the stretch.

They weren't in the middle of any kind of "swoon," despite what fans
thought and despite what the local press pushed as a narrative. They were
grinding through an impossible late-season schedule that ultimately prepared
them for a hot run in the playoffs.

In other words, they were tested.
And they'll be tested again next year; if they don't suffer the ridiculous slew
of early season injuries they dealt with in 2011, expect them to improve on last
season's results.

this is why i welcome the tough schedule. by the time the playoffs hit, we've been playing the best teams in the league week in week out. this'll give us the edge over other teams that may have a better record, but got their wins beating inferior opponents.

miked1958

05-19-2012, 12:21 AM

Here's the
thing though. People believe the Giants limped into the playoffs because of
their 9-7 record. The reality is that Tom Coughlin's squad was 6-2 after beating
the Patriots (/nfl/teams/page/NE/new-england-patriots) in Week 9.
Then they embarked on a portion of the schedule that saw them play the Packers,
49ers (/nfl/teams/page/SF/san-francisco-49ers), Saints (/nfl/teams/page/NO/new-orleans-saints), Eagles, Cowboys (twice)
and Jets (/nfl/teams/page/NYJ/new-york-jets) down the stretch.

They weren't in the middle of any kind of "swoon," despite what fans
thought and despite what the local press pushed as a narrative. They were
grinding through an impossible late-season schedule that ultimately prepared
them for a hot run in the playoffs.

In other words, they were tested.
And they'll be tested again next year; if they don't suffer the ridiculous slew
of early season injuries they dealt with in 2011, expect them to improve on last
season's results.

this is why i welcome the tough schedule.* by the time the playoffs hit, we've been playing the best teams in the league week in week out.* this'll give us the edge over other teams that may have a better record, but got their wins beating inferior opponents.
Agreed

JJC7301

05-19-2012, 01:11 AM

Shhhh! Undercover is how we fly. [;)]
Exactly, and that's how I personally like it. It's extra fun watching the rest of the division, and league, get all flustered with another "unexpected" Giant SB run.

THE_New_York_Giants

05-19-2012, 02:46 AM

Man can you imagine how ESPN would still be kissing Brady's butt if he had won the Superbowl.. or Rogers for that matter.

giantsfan420

05-19-2012, 02:55 AM

Man can you imagine how ESPN would still be kissing Brady's butt if he had won the Superbowl.. or Rogers for that matter.

The line would go out the building w everybody trying to get the chance to kiss his ***...lol...

Rat_bastich

05-19-2012, 03:55 AM

The funny and good thing is the Giants are so anti-dramatic that the media overlooks them every year. The only drama that can be dug up at this point is the Osi contract situation and that has even died down.

Last year, even when the Giants were winning most of the focus was still on the Jets only when Rolle or Osi would make a comment would the focus switch for a short time, but eventually it would go back to the Jets.

I think this year in the beginning you'll see some people picking the Giants to repeat only because they won last year. The moment they lose a game or some finesse team wins by alot then the Giants will be lowballed again.

I do believe it is only the media though that lowballs the Giants. I think the players and other teams don't underestimate the Giants.

Toadofsteel

05-19-2012, 04:12 AM

The funny and good thing is the Giants are so anti-dramatic that the media overlooks them every year. The only drama that can be dug up at this point is the Osi contract situation and that has even died down.

Last year, even when the Giants were winning most of the focus was still on the Jets only when Rolle or Osi would make a comment would the focus switch for a short time, but eventually it would go back to the Jets.

I think this year in the beginning you'll see some people picking the Giants to repeat only because they won last year. The moment they lose a game or some finesse team wins by alot then the Giants will be lowballed again.

I do believe it is only the media though that lowballs the Giants. I think the players and other teams don't underestimate the Giants.

This, in spades...

The media doesn't have anything to sink its teeth into (other than said Osi contract situation, Rolle talking up a storm, or the like), so they basically adopt a "nothing to see here" mantra.

I bet that if Eli won 5 rings the media would STILL lowball him...

FIFTY6G-MAN

05-19-2012, 11:54 AM

The funny and good thing is the Giants are so anti-dramatic that the media overlooks them every year. The only drama that can be dug up at this point is the Osi contract situation and that has even died down. Last year, even when the Giants were winning most of the focus was still on the Jets only when Rolle or Osi would make a comment would the focus switch for a short time, but eventually it would go back to the Jets. I think this year in the beginning you'll see some people picking the Giants to repeat only because they won last year. The moment they lose a game or some finesse team wins by alot then the Giants will be lowballed again. I do believe it is only the media though that lowballs the Giants. I think the players and other teams don't underestimate the Giants. This, in spades... The media doesn't have anything to sink its teeth into (other than said Osi contract situation, Rolle talking up a storm, or the like), so they basically adopt a "nothing to see here" mantra. I bet that if Eli won 5 rings the media would STILL lowball him...Screw it, I like it that way. When the talking heads lowball us we play with a chip on our shoulder and the team we are playing that week must be saying "COME ON MAN" at the talking heads. LMAO!

Jiffy Jeff

05-21-2012, 11:58 AM

"....an easier schedule this season...."????

jimsgints

05-21-2012, 01:37 PM

Man can you imagine how ESPN would still be kissing Brady's butt if he had won the Superbowl.. or Rogers for that matter.
Remember the Farve drama? Well the Brady love from ESPN would make that Farve crap seem like it didn't even happen. I wouldn't even turn the TV on. I guess it was all meant to be.

G-Man67

05-21-2012, 03:32 PM

Shhhh! Undercover is how we fly. [;)]</P>

yeah, exactly</P>

did they already forget how the Eagles got an A for their draft (3 years before the test)?</P>

is America's team all of sudden un-american?</P>

I DONT WANNA be the FAV !, but i think we can handle the extra pressure</P>

JMFP2

05-22-2012, 12:29 AM

Here's the thing though. People believe the Giants limped into the playoffs because of their 9-7 record. The reality is that Tom Coughlin's squad was 6-2 after beating the Patriots (/nfl/teams/page/NE/new-england-patriots) in Week 9. Then they embarked on a portion of the schedule that saw them play the Packers, 49ers (/nfl/teams/page/SF/san-francisco-49ers), Saints (/nfl/teams/page/NO/new-orleans-saints), Eagles, Cowboys (twice) and Jets (/nfl/teams/page/NYJ/new-york-jets) down the stretch.

They weren't in the middle of any kind of "swoon," despite what fans thought and despite what the local press pushed as a narrative. They were grinding through an impossible late-season schedule that ultimately prepared them for a hot run in the playoffs.

In other words, they were tested. And they'll be tested again next year; if they don't suffer the ridiculous slew of early season injuries they dealt with in 2011, expect them to improve on last season's results.

this is why i welcome the tough schedule. by the time the playoffs hit, we've been playing the best teams in the league week in week out. this'll give us the edge over other teams that may have a better record, but got their wins beating inferior opponents.
</P>

This was the best point of the article.....and this sort of 2nd half gauntlet has been common for the Giants. In fact, alot of people that wanted Coughlin fired seemed to ignore this fact.</P>

giantsfan420

05-22-2012, 01:42 AM

Here's the thing though. People believe the Giants limped into the playoffs because of their 9-7 record. The reality is that Tom Coughlin's squad was 6-2 after beating the Patriots (/nfl/teams/page/NE/new-england-patriots) in Week 9. Then they embarked on a portion of the schedule that saw them play the Packers, 49ers (/nfl/teams/page/SF/san-francisco-49ers), Saints (/nfl/teams/page/NO/new-orleans-saints), Eagles, Cowboys (twice) and Jets (/nfl/teams/page/NYJ/new-york-jets) down the stretch.

They weren't in the middle of any kind of "swoon," despite what fans thought and despite what the local press pushed as a narrative. They were grinding through an impossible late-season schedule that ultimately prepared them for a hot run in the playoffs.

In other words, they were tested. And they'll be tested again next year; if they don't suffer the ridiculous slew of early season injuries they dealt with in 2011, expect them to improve on last season's results.

this is why i welcome the tough schedule.* by the time the playoffs hit, we've been playing the best teams in the league week in week out.* this'll give us the edge over other teams that may have a better record, but got their wins beating inferior opponents.
</P>

This was the best point of the article.....and this sort of 2nd half gauntlet has been common for the Giants.* In fact, alot of people that wanted Coughlin fired seemed to ignore this fact.</P>

Great point...

And has anyone else heard how vegas has us winning half our games and losing the other half? We have a brutal schedule...absolutely brutal...wonder if we get the same odds as last season at 80 to 1

Captain Chaos

05-22-2012, 08:02 AM

Let the annual preseason disrespect begin....

The tough schedule will test for sure, but can we win enough to get to the playoffs. We did last year and if the young players develop they will do it again.

miked1958

05-22-2012, 09:30 AM

The funny and good thing is the Giants are so anti-dramatic that the media overlooks them every year. The only drama that can be dug up at this point is the Osi contract situation and that has even died down. Last year, even when the Giants were winning most of the focus was still on the Jets only when Rolle or Osi would make a comment would the focus switch for a short time, but eventually it would go back to the Jets. I think this year in the beginning you'll see some people picking the Giants to repeat only because they won last year. The moment they lose a game or some finesse team wins by alot then the Giants will be lowballed again. I do believe it is only the media though that lowballs the Giants. I think the players and other teams don't underestimate the Giants. This, in spades... The media doesn't have anything to sink its teeth into (other than said Osi contract situation, Rolle talking up a storm, or the like), so they basically adopt a "nothing to see here" mantra. I bet that if Eli won 5 rings the media would STILL lowball him...yep you are right. it seems like the GMEN are NEVER the Shiek pick to win the SB. its always the more flashy Pats or a team with alot of Flare like GB... </P>

</P>

miked1958

05-22-2012, 09:31 AM

IMO that is just fine. It makes it sweeter to win it all despite what all the jerks have to say. Steven Young, all those idiots on ESPN First Take., Fatso, I can go on an on...</P>

Its better that way. Lets do it again this year</P>

miked1958

05-22-2012, 09:32 AM

Let the annual preseason disrespect begin.... The tough schedule will test for sure, but can we win enough to get to the playoffs. We did last year and if the young players develop they will do it again.agreed

miked1958

05-22-2012, 09:32 AM

Hard to imagine how good this team could be if they actually stayed healthy for a whole season